Description
Make crunchy, flavorful pickled green beans using a simple refrigerator method. These dilly beans are ready to eat quickly and require no formal canning.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
- 4 cups water
- 4 cups white vinegar (5% acidity)
- 1/4 cup pickling salt
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 8 cloves garlic, peeled and halved
- 4 heads fresh dill (or 4 teaspoons dried dill seed)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
Instructions
- Wash the green beans thoroughly and trim off the ends.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the water, vinegar, pickling salt, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the salt and sugar dissolve completely. Remove from heat.
- Prepare your jars: Place two garlic halves, one dill head (or one teaspoon of dill seed), and a pinch of red pepper flakes (if using) into each of two quart-sized, clean glass jars.
- Pack the trimmed green beans tightly into the jars, standing them upright.
- Carefully pour the hot brine over the beans in each jar, ensuring the beans are completely submerged. Leave about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top.
- Tap the jars gently to release any trapped air bubbles. Wipe the rims clean.
- Seal the jars with lids and bands. Let the jars cool to room temperature on the counter.
- Once cooled, place the jars in the refrigerator. The dilly beans will be ready to eat after 24 hours, but the flavor improves after 3 days.
Notes
- For the crunchiest beans, soak the trimmed beans in ice water for 30 minutes before packing them into the jars.
- If you prefer a traditional canned product for shelf stability, process the sealed jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes after sealing.
- You can substitute fresh dill sprigs with 1 teaspoon of dill seed per jar.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Refrigerator Pickling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 25
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 0
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 1
- Cholesterol: 0